Montevideo Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Marcelo Campi (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Fabrizio, Brian Byrne, Rodrigo Baucke, Diego Ferreira · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Uruguay
- Region:
- South America
- Coordinates:
- 34.9059° S, 56.1913° W
About Montevideo
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay, situated on the southern coast on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata. The city offers visitors a mix of colonial heritage and modern culture, with numerous attractions accessible from the port.
Within easy reach of the cruise terminal, you'll find historical landmarks including Salvo Palace and the Gateway of the Citadel, both rated highly by visitors. The Fountain of the Padlocks sits just 0.2 km from the port, whilst the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is 1.2 km away. For cultural experiences, the National Museum of Visual Arts and Port Market provide insight into local art and commerce.
Things to See and Do
The city centre features several well-regarded attractions. Montevideo Letters, an iconic public art installation, draws many visitors, as does the Punta Carretas Promenade, a scenic waterfront area perfect for leisurely walks. The Port Market combines shopping with authentic local atmosphere, making it a popular choice for cruise passengers.
Montevideo is ideally positioned for exploring the wider South America region, with nearby ports including Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Callao and Ushuaia accessible via South America cruises.
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. As of the 2023 census, the city proper has a population of 1,287,452, making up about 36.8% of the country's total population, in an area of 201 square kilometers (78 sq mi). Montevideo is situated on the southern coast of the country, on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Montevideo on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Savaş Özsöz · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Port Market
4.4 (22,849) 1.9 km from port
Grand 19th-century market building filled with bustling, meat-centric restaurants & bars.
Near: Galería Acatras del Mercado (2 m) · Ministerio de Turismo de la República Oriental del Uruguay (63 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “Plenty of parrillerias and tourist shops. Satisfy your hunger and your souvenir needs all in the same place. Shop around…” — Grisel De Armas-Burke
- 5 · “The atmosphere was lively and full of character, with the smell of grilled meat filling the market and creating a…” — Melissa & Jamie
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Photo: Edilaine Danielski · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Montevideo Letters
4.6 (19,943) 4.8 km from port
Near: Kibón Hill (36 m) · Kibón Avanza (95 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Nice view of Pocitos beach. It can get busy so it's good to know the best times to go.” — Eroll James Casals
- 5 · “Huge sign with a great city and beach view. 15.03.2019” — Find City Sign
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Photo: Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales · via Google Maps Museum
National Museum Of Visual Arts
4.6 (5,907) 2.6 km from port
Visual arts museum since 1911 featuring works by many Uruguayan artists & an outdoor sculpture park.
Near: Parque Rodó Infantil (153 m) · Ta-Ta (190 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 1:00 – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “This museum specializes in Uruguayan art. Since it is not very big, you can visit in less than two hours.…” — Vítor Possebom
- 5 · “A must see if you're interested in art - specifically Uruguayan artists! Free with two floors. Great for ALL including…” — Eve Sizer
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Photo: Carlos · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Salvo Palace
4.5 (4,806) 0.7 km from port
1 of the country's tallest, this landmark building houses the Tango Museum, offices & residences.
Near: MUSEO DEL TANGO - Tours & Tango show (14 m) · GrandVision (68 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 pm
- 5 · “Palacio Salvo is one of Montevideo’s most iconic buildings and truly stands out on Plaza Independencia. Its unique mix of…” — Thorsten Körner
- 5 · “Did the guided tour of the building, it was very unique and interesting learning about the history of it and…” — Jozef Watson
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Historical landmark
Gateway of the Citadel
4.6 (4,171) 0.9 km from port
Near: Devoto Express (16 m) · Torres Garcia's Museum (52 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Walking through the Puerta de la Ciudadela feels like stepping through a portal between modern Montevideo and its colonial past.…” — Rio Ison
- 5 · “The remainder of the portal of what once the walled Ciudad Vieja 😎😎😎. Today, it’s the “Arch of the Plaza…” — Globetrotter
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Tourist attraction
Fountain of the Padlocks
4.3 (3,933) 0.2 km from port
Near: ANDA Local CENTRO (25 m) · Hotel Alvear Montevideo (38 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Interesting place!!! We crossed this place many times on the new year. Very less people on the road.” — Mohamed Rafi
- 5 · “It’s an interesting place with thousands of locks in one place.” — Ketan Zagade
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Church
Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral
4.7 (2,485) 1.2 km from port
Monumental city cathedral, begun in 1790, featuring neoclassical architecture & several tombs.
Near: La Molienda - Sarandí (34 m) · McDonald's (40 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
- 5 · “Every ecclesiastical place like no other.” — Frankly Checo
- 5 · “Absolutely beautiful and majestic is the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is absolutely beautiful and majestic. My first visit, it feels like…” — Commercial Producer, production fixer, Mari Tato (RunDaShow)
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Tourist attraction
Punta Carretas Promenade
4.7 (1,486) 3.9 km from port
Near: Cala Di Volpe Boutique Hotel (127 m) · Club Champagnat de Rugby (141 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “This is such a nice, lovely and calm place. I have no idea why it's not more popular.” — Paul Groke
- 5 · “Amazing chill spot in the beach. Can fish, relax and chill. Very safe” — Sylvain Le François
Map of Montevideo and nearby attractions
Cruises calling at Montevideo
Deals update daily — see all South America cruises.
